The BoT statement explains that there is a thread on the note that changes colour between magenta and green depending on the angle it is viewed from. There is also a hologram on the front which changes between the Thai and Western numbers for 1,000. Governor Trairatworakul noted that the new issue is the 16th version of the 1,000 Baht and its release date was important in Thai history.
The reverse of the banknote is dedicated to King Chulalongkorn and 21 August is the anniversary of the day in 1874 on which the monarch started changing the laws that would eventually lead to the abolition of slavery in Thailand three decades later. Chulalongkorn, also known as King Rama V, ruled between 1868 and 1910.
The governor said all banks, both private and state operated, would have stocks of the new notes and the BoT had printed 100 million of them. He finished off by saying the BoT planned to print more in about four months and they would gradually replace the older ones still in circulation. Old 1,000 Baht notes still remain legal tender.
New Thai 1,000 Baht note issued Friday
News in Asia
The governor of the National Bank of Thailand (BoT) issued a statement earlier this week saying it would be releasing a new 1,000 Baht note. Prasarn Trairatworakul stated that the notes would be available from Friday and incorporated up-to-the-minute technology to combat counterfeiting.